Polish, Fungus, and Lies: Inside New Brunswick’s Nail Black Market — and the Cosmetology Association That’s Nowhere to Be Found

I’ve lived with nail fungus for over a decade — the result of a “professional” manicure gone wrong. That was someone licensed. Now? New Brunswick’s Facebook Marketplace is flooded with unlicensed, untraceable individuals offering manicures out of basements and bedrooms.

When I asked a few of them for licenses or credentials, I was told:

• “I’m just a student.”
• “I’ll get licensed soon.”
• “Why are you even asking? Everyone does it.”

And that’s the problem.

Some are charging money while unlicensed, others are actively breaking the law, and yet they’re still “in the process” of being licensed — with no consequence.

What kind of regulatory body rewards people for violating the law by handing them professional credentials? Do we give a criminal a PhD or do we investigate them?

Screenshots of these conversations, included below, show sellers openly confirming they are not licensed.

The Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick (CANB) is supposed to protect us from this. They don’t. I called to report what I saw. Their response?
“There are thousands and thousands and thousands of people doing it. We can’t possibly monitor it.”

🧯CANB IS LEGISLATED TO PROTECT YOU. THEY’RE NOT.

The Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick claims on its website that it is:

"a self-governing professional association... legislated to ensure that cosmetology services in New Brunswick are offered to the public safely and healthfully."

But in reality?

• No visible enforcement
• No public warnings
• No provincial oversight
• No licensing transparency in ad marketplaces
• A defensive, disorganized leadership culture

Yes, they do have a license search tool buried on their website — but the public isn’t directed to it when they need it, and Facebook Marketplace is still a breeding ground for illegal services.

When I pushed back, I was told I was “threatening staff.” Not by a technician — but by Kelsey Flowers, CANB’s newly appointed Executive Director. What I actually said? That if the organization cannot protect the public, it should not exist.

If a demand for public accountability is received as a threat, then maybe the leadership role itself has been misunderstood.

💼 WHO IS KELSEY FLOWERS?

According to LinkedIn:

• She was a hairstylist (trained in 2010)
• Became Office Manager at CANB (2020)
• Then Executive Assistant
• Then, in August 2025, she became Executive Director
• While simultaneously holding two other government admin roles!

Her qualifications?

• A hairstyling license
• Customer service training
• No regulatory, legal, or public health credentials

And this is the person in charge of regulating the entire cosmetology sector in New Brunswick.

🧬 NO OVERSIGHT, NO CONSEQUENCES

CANB is self-governing. That means:

• No independent board review
• No Minister to escalate to
• No public accountability unless someone like me raises hell

They grant licenses. They collect fees. But who enforces the law? Who protects the public?
Right now: No one.

And yet, they are publicly promoted as a trustworthy regulatory body.

In 2023, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce featured CANB in their official Member Spotlight, stating:

“You can be assured that your service provider has had proper training and follows rigorous health and safety protocols based on professional standards set by the Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick.”
(Source: frederictonchamber.ca/cosmetology-association-of-new-brunswick/)

This claim — made publicly and with confidence — flies in the face of what is actually happening.

Because the reality on the ground tells a different story — one of unlicensed practice, zero visible enforcement, and a leadership vacuum at the top of the very organization responsible for public protection.

If the Chamber continues to spotlight CANB, it must also take responsibility for amplifying false assurances of safety that do not reflect lived experience — and evidence.

⚠️ WHAT’S AT STAKE?

This isn’t about aesthetics — this is public health.

• Infections
• Permanent damage
• Unsterile tools
• No recourse for clients
• Immigrant workers being exploited or risking deportation
• Licensed businesses being undercut by illegal competitors

This isn't harmless hustle. It’s systemic risk with zero accountability.

🔎 MY DEMAND

1. CANB must publish a searchable, public license registry — and actively promote it.
2. Facebook Marketplace must be monitored for illegal services.
3. Student practice outside of licensed salons must be explicitly banned and enforced.
4. The government must reevaluate the legality of completely self-regulated public safety bodies.
5. The Fredericton Chamber of Commerce must respond to its continued promotion of a failing regulatory body.
6. Kelsey Flowers must respond publicly — or resign.

💬 FINAL WORD

This article was published after direct contact with the Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick and its Executive Director. Their response made it clear: they are more interested in silencing criticism than addressing failure.

Leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about responsibility.

This organization, this leadership, and this system are failing us. If you’ve experienced similar issues or want to support better regulation, contact me:

📧 hello@boondockrebel.org